Education Archives – StopAIS.org

Education Video Series

Experts Explain It & Education Animations

Invasive species come in many forms and from many places. When introduced to an environment, an invasive species can quickly cause that environment to spin out of balance. Aquatic invasive species, invasive terrestrial weeds, bullfrogs, forest pests are just a few examples of how species can live relatively quietly in their native range but wreak havoc when moved into a new environment. animations

Watch the animation for quick takes on invasive species, or watch the experts explain their fields in more detail. Below each video, we’ve included education packets to augment learning for fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

Education Animations

This animated video series walks us through the complex subject of invasive species and simplifies it into two minute consumable bites.

Aquatic Invasive Species

Student Resources: AIS Education Packet

Invasive Bullfrogs

Student Resources: Bullfrog Education Packet

Invasive Forest Pests

Student Resources: Forest Pests Education Packetexplain

Experts Explain It

Explain
In this video series, we speak with three experts who have committed themselves to understanding the problems different kinds of invasive species pose. They answer common questions about what their jobs entail and why they study the species they study. They also explain why invasive species are such a problem, how invasive species affect Montana and its residents, and what we can all do to stop the spread of invasive species. Below each video, we’ve included education packets to augment learning for fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

Invasive Weeds

with Jane Mangold

Student Resources: Weeds Education Packet

Invasive Bullfrogs

with Adam Sepulveda

Student Resources: Bullfrog Education Packet

Invasive Forest Pests

with Alex Nordquest

Student Resources: Forest Pests Education Packet

Virtual Classroom

Current Program

Invasive species education is for anywhere you are. The lessons we have developed can be used in the classroom as stand-alone topics, supplement classroom concepts, but also these lessons are for the curious learner who just wants to open the door and learn about topics on invasive species and water.

Each topic starts with a short video lesson and can be followed up by Creativity Corner activities on each topic. These activities work as extensions to every lesson. Click on the topics below to get started!

Online Learning Topics

A Closer Look at Aquatic Invasive Species

Do you know what aquatic invasive species are and why we really don’t want them around? In this video, Leah walks us through the key information on impacts, spread and prevention of invasive species. Learn about a few different types of AIS and why they’re so bad for our favorite places, then try your hand at some fun and challenging activities here.

Invasive Species Profile: Dreissenid Mussels

Interested in digging deeper into invasive species? Learn about one of the most prolific aquatic invasive species the United States has ever seen. Watch the video here.

Don’t Let it Loose!

Have you ever seen a tiny turtle and thought, “I want one of those!” But what do you do with a pet you once thought you wanted but can no longer keep? Releasing pets into the wild can have unintended consequences for animals already living there. Learn what can happen when you release a pet into the wild by watching the video here.

Macroinvertebrates

Who doesn’t like bugs?! Macroinvertebrates are a fascinating window into how nature works. Watch a video to learn about the life cycle of a few different bugs, and how their behaviors differ between bug type and even between life stages. In this video, Mr. Matt also introduces the idea of Indicator Species and what they mean for bugs, and for us. To watch the video and access the activities, click here.

The Water Cycle

Do you know why our planet is sometimes called the Blue Planet? Watch this video to learn all about the water that gives the Earth its nickname. Matt teaches us about the continuous movement of water that’s above, below and on the surface of the Earth. Watch the video here.

Water Distribution

Here at ISAN, we love water. We like to recreate on it, we like to drink it, and we like to help protect it from invasive species. And we’re betting you like water too! Watch this video to learn about where all the water in the world is and how people use it. Then learn what you can do to use it wisely. Watch the video here.

Riparian Foodwebs

In this lesson, we walk you through what riparian zones are and talk about the different types of riparian areas there are in the world. You’ll also learn about why they’re so important to plants and animals both big and small. Watch the video here.

Keystone Species

What do wolves, elk, beaver and cutthroat have in common? No, this isn’t the start of a bad joke. It’s the start of a whole new lesson by Mr. Matt! Learn what keystone species are and why they’re important to the world around us by watching the video then completing the activities here.

Interested in a topic not listed here?

We like hearing from you! Email us at: info@stopais.org

Additional downloadable activities for fun:

Aquatic Invasive Species Crossword (AIS Crossword Answer Key)

Aquatic Invasive Species Word Search (AIS Word Search Answer Key)

Aquatic Macro-Invertebrates Crossword (AMI Crossword Answer Key)

Aquatic Macro-Invertebrates Word Search (AMI Word Search Answer Key)

Cutthroat Crossword (Cutthroat Crossword Answer Key)

Fish Dissection Crossword (Fish Dissection Crossword Answer Key)

Fish Dissection Word Search (Fish Dissection Word Search Answer Key)

Education Workshops

Current Program

As invasive species issues attract more attention, it’s not unusual for agencies to receive requests from schools or teachers to provide programs dealing with invasive species. Unfortunately, many who are asked to provide these programs are not trained to lead educational programs or may be very uncomfortable with the task.

The ISAN Education Workshop is designed to address the training needs of agency personnel, teachers or other adults working with kids. The program helps people become comfortable at providing high quality invasive species education programs when requested.

The ISAN Education Workshop combines presentations about how to work with schools and students, using hands-on training on how to deliver programs. Training is provided on how to interact with teachers and schools, how to deal with students of various ages and how different learning styles impact the ability to reach students.

Participants are given a trunk containing the materials they need to conduct the activities for groups of students. All participants leave our workshops with confidence that they can conduct a quality program.

ISAN Education trunks may be purchased separately from the workshops, though of course we recommend taking the training to get full use out of the materials.

Interested in attending, hosting, or scheduling a workshop? Have questions? Please contact us at info@stopais.org.

See ISAN in the classroom, using what we teach in our Education Workshops:

AIS Boat Activity
Online Education Resources
Look, Clean, Dry video